Please note that we will be leaving from the church on Saturday morning, instead of the typical Friday night. Meet at the church at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. We will not be taking the troop trailer. Without the trailer, we do not have room in the vehicles to haul extra gear so only bring what you can carry and fit into your backpack. If you do not have a back pack capable of hauling all of your gear, please let me or your patrol leader know as soon as possible. There may be other members of the troop who will not be going who may be willing to loan you their pack for the weekend.

You should eat breakfast prior to arriving at the church, or bring along with you on the drive. It is approximately a 3 hour drive to Summerfield, Kansas, which is the nearest town to Puls farm. You will also need to bring along a sack lunch to eat when we arrive in Summerfield. Other than bathroom stops, there will be no other stops on the drive to Summerfield.

From a starting point just south of Summerfield, we will park, unload and begin our hike to camp. It is approximately 2 ½ miles down a gravel road and then through fields and forest to our camp site. Hiking with a pack for that distance requires that you have plenty of water, proper hiking boots and attire, and as little in your pack as possible. We will stop and take rest breaks along the way, so pack a light snack for the hike.

All meals will be individually prepared by you, using either a fire you make, or a portable camp stove. If you have not yet done so, you will need to come up with a menu and method of cooking. You will need to supply and transport your own food, cooking equipment and utensils and mess kit. Keep in mind we will not have coolers to keep food properly refrigerated.

A packing list is attached with this e-mail to assist you in planning and packing for the camp out. The weather forecast is for dry and sunny weather with temps in the 70’s for Saturday, dropping to the low 50’s overnight. Sunny and 70’s for Sunday. Rain is forecast for the area everyday through Friday morning, so the ground will likely be wet.

We will plan on breaking camp no later than 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, then hiking back out to our vehicles. We may make a brief stop on the drive home for lunch, so plan on bringing approximately $8.00 for lunch. We should arrive back at the church no later than 1:00 p.m.

Mr. Sitzman
Camp Master

Attached Packing List:

PACKING FOR WILDERNESS SURVIVAL/PULS FARM CAMPOUT
There are no latrines or bathrooms at our camp site and no water. It is approximately a 3 mile hike into our campsite. Everything you need must be packed in by you, including all food and water you will be consuming. The area is wooded, so there will be material for you to gather for making fires. Mid September in northern Kansas/southern Nebraska can bring a variety of weather with temperatures ranging from the upper 80’s during the day down to upper 30’s overnight. Plan and pack for both warm and cold weather conditions.
Pack List
Backpack (large expedition style, not a day pack)
Sleeping bag
Tent
2 Season Clothing
• Warm weather: shorts, Class B shirt
• Cool weather: long pants, long sleeve shirt, light jacket
• 2 pair of socks (in case feet get wet)
• Underwear
• Hiking boots (required)
• Hat
• Rain poncho or rain jacket/pants combo (required)
• Class A shirt (for travel)
Personal hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper)
Medications
Portable gas stove for cooking (if not cooking over an open fire). You must demonstrate the ability to safely use a portable stove
Lighter/fire starter
Pocket knife
Headlamp, flashlight and/or small lantern
Mess kit, Cooking equipment & utensils (pot for boiling water/cooking, something to stir/serve food)
Food for Meals and Snacks (non-perishable)
Water bottles and/or Camelback: make sure these are full before leaving home.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Trash bags (to pack out trash, rain protection)
Medical Kit
*If you are working on completing the Camping Merit Badge, please review the merit badge requirements in completing your preparations for the camp out.
Food and Cooking
For cooking meals, keep in mind that there will not be coolers for keeping food cold. You will need to decide if you are going to cook over an open fire you build, or use a portable camp stove. If you choose to use a portable stove, you will need to transport it in your pack with you. You will be responsible for preparing a sack lunch for Saturday lunch, dinner on Saturday evening, and breakfast on Sunday morning. If you choose to cook your meals, do not forget to bring a pot or pan for cooking. Make sure food is sealed in plastic bags for transport in your pack. Here are a few suggested menu items that are easy to pack and cook:
Mac and cheese
Canned meals (soup, beef stew, Spaghettios, tuna, Spam)
Pasta and sauce
Dehydrated meals (MRE’s)
Jerky
Hobo packets
Granola
Instant Oatmeal
Cereal
Crackers and cheese
Canned fruit and vegetables
Fresh fruits: apples, oranges
Dried fruits
Protein bars, granola bars, trail mix